I just received the newest release (Feb 3, 2015), Morose Elephant, from Jeff Jensen exhibiting a broad spectrum of cool music. Opening with Make It Through, a happy springy bluesy track, Jensen leads the way on vocals and lays out some pretty nice guitar riffs. With a taste of R&B, Victor Wainwright adds a Whirlitzer layer and Reba Russell adds to it's spiritual feel. Get Along is a pretty straight up rocker with Bill Ruffino on bass, Robinson Bridgeforth on drums and Kirk Smothers and Marc Franklin bringing up the horn section. Jensen shows he's no beginner with some really hot guitar riffs as well. Ballad Fall Apart with its soulful lead guitar work coupled with Jensen's vocals, Chris Stephenson on keys and Smothers and Franklin on horns make this one of the strongest tracks on the release. Going Home is given a little funk with great backing vocals by Russell and nice horns by Smothers and Franklin but Jensen really shines at the lead on both guitar and vocal on this track. Excellent! Paper Walls is a clever blues like chant (think Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning) with simple instrumentation. Stephenson on piano, Ruffino on bass, Cunningham on drums and Jensen whipping on the guitar as he tells the story, this track has some oomph! On Boogie track, What's The Matter With The Mill Wainwright does a great job on vocals and hammers the keyboard for a super conclusion to a solid blues track. Easy paced ballad, Ash and Bones is primarily Jensen accompanying himself on acoustic guitar complimented by Russell on vocal and Anne Harris on fiddle. Very nice! Cool jazz instrumental track, Elephant Blue, really pops. Jensen gives the fretboard a hard workout and and Bridgeforth, Stephenson and Ruffino push him the whole way. Hot! Bad Bad Whiskey has an easy saunter pace with Eric Hughes complimenting the vocals on harp. I'll Always Be In Love With You cranks the levelup to more of an open horn band with perky vocals. A nice cool walking bass line by Ruffino and light guitar soloing. Wrapping the release is Empty Bottles, Jensen accompanining himself on guitar and complimented by Gary Allegretto on harp. A quick bluesy ditty, a slick little track to close a cool and curious release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Exclusive Blues Interviews, Blues Reviews, Blues Videos, Top Blues Artists, New Blues Artists.
Pages
CLICK ON TITLE BELOW TO GO TO PURCHASE!!!!
CD submissions accepted! Guest writers always welcome!!
I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Friday, January 30, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Those Winter Blues: New Release and Video from Singer-Songwriter Lee Palmer
Lee Palmer, Al
Cross, Lance Anderson, David Woodhead, Elmer Ferrer
Toronto based singer-songwriter and guitarist
Lee Palmer has released two full length CDs, both recorded live off-the-floor.
His third recording is set for release in Spring 2015.
“Those Winter Blues” is a sneak peek
from Lee Palmer’s third album, Like Elway. The seasonally
correct single highlights well known Toronto musicians Al Cross, David Woodhead,
Lance Anderson and Elmer Ferrer. Elmer Ferrer also mixed, co-produced and
co-wrote the track “Wonderful Life”, from Like Elway, to be released in
the Spring of 2015.
Respected recording engineer, George
Seara recorded the 10- track, live album at Noble Street Studios in Toronto. It
all took place one cold winter day, this past December.
“Those Winter Blues" is available on
CD Baby, Radio Submit and Airplay Direct.
Quotes:
"...Americana with a big arching A,
incorporating blues, folk and country ... You get the feeling that in those
years before he started making his own records, that Palmer was a bit of a
collector of stories and was probably more than a bit player in a lot of them,
there is a tone, a quality to the material that suggests a real sense of
ownership." - Neil King, Fatea Magazine
"A first-rate singer-songwriter. Worthy to be heard, this Lee Palmer. Where
have you been all this time, Lee?" - Fred Schmale, Real Roots Cafe
Labels:
Canada,
International,
Lee Palmer,
Like Elway,
Ontario,
Those Winter Blues,
Toronto
New release from Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King!
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Jazzhaus Records artist: Eric Sardinas and Big Motor - Boomerang - New Release Review
I just received the newest release, Boomerang, from Eric Sardinas and Big Motor and it rocks! Opening with with kick ass Run Devil Run, a blues rocker with a strong back beat and great slide. Great opener featuring Sardinas on vocal and slide, Levell Price on bass and Byran Keeling on drums. Kicking out the stops with a real rocker is title track Boomerang. This is a hard driving rocker with the heart of a freight train. Taking down the tempo a little, Tell Me You're Mine keeps a heavy rock flavor but with slide and blues riffs, it's hard not to hear the blues roots. Sardinas has his own slide style which breaks the Duane Allman/Derek Trucks/Bonnie Raitt mold influenced more by the likes of Steve Marriott or Johnny Winter to my ear. Morning Glory has a much more acoustic blues feel featuring mostly Sardinas on slide and vocal. Very nice. Bad Boy Blues takes the standard 12 bar format and classic guitar riffs complimented by Dave Schulz on keys. This is a straight forward blues track with a load of slide ... what's not to like! Hard pop rocker, If You Don't Love Me, aims square at the radio with a catchy melody and call and response vocals. Leiber and Stoller classic Trouble gets a stiff blues rock slap with a slow bluesy start including raucous slide resonator work but wrapping the track in fine rock fashion. Very cool! Long Gone is another solid rocker with solid blues roots. Although Sardinas doesn't sound at all like Lynyrd Skynyrd (the real Lynyrd Skynyrd) I can help thinking that he captures the spirit of them on a track like this. Rock on! On Howlin' Wolf's How Many More Years, Sardinas sets a really nice shuffle groove with a stiff rhythm. Again his own rowdy slide style adds nicely to the ruggedness of the overall track making it a definite blues track and a definite rocker. Super! Wrapping the release is rock n roller Heavy Loaded with strong shuffle beat. With a fun, raw rhythm and Celine Cavin on Mojo Juice Harp this is a terrific rock, boogie to conclude a very enjoyable release!
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Bo & The Bluesdrivers: SoCal's Hardest-Working Blues Band On Tour
BO & THE BLUESDRIVERS ARE SOCAL'S HARDEST-WORKING
BLUES BAND WHO ARE NOW ON TOUR THROUGHOUT
2015
Performing
Locally: Sue's Tavern in Frazier Park - Saturday, February
7
“I’m out on
the streets again/I’ve been sleeping in my car/I got these worn-out shoes/ Just
smoked my last cigar,” drawls the St. Augustine, FL, native known simply as Bo,
front-man of Bo and the Bluesdrivers, buttressed by a stinging guitar
and a sturdy rhythm section held down by longtime musical partners, Bluesdrivers
bassist Brian “Chewy” James and drummer, J. J. Garcia.
*Bo and
the Bluesdrivers perform locally at Sue's Tavern, 3440 Mt. Pinos Way, in Frazier Park, Saturday,
February 7. Showtime 9 p.m.-1:15 a.m. Free Info: (661) 245-1100 or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sues-Tavern/.
Bo and the
Bluesdrivers Cover Story in the December issue of All Access Magazine. Read it
here: http://allaccessmagazine.com/2014/12/18/introducing-bo-bluesdrivers/
That’s right, Bo & the Bluesdrivers play it like they’ve lived it, paying those hard-living dues, forming from a chance meeting after joining forces at an open jam hosted a decade ago by Chewy and J.J. Ten years after, they’re still together and tighter than ever.
“From the streets of New York/To the streets of L.A./It seems all the same/Day to day/I’ve been through the darkness/I’ve walked through the light/The streets are all the same/Night after night.”
The band have performed on special occasions in the L.A. area over the years at clubs and parties of friends, but more recently have started to develop a strong following that has seen them with consistent bookings all over Southern California (full itinerary below). “The band came together both naturally and organically, with no stress or drama…Just making music that we dig," says drummer JJ Garcia.
Says Bo:
“We’re a band of brothers with mutual respect for each other and our abilities.
Always striving to be the best at what we do.”
A veteran of the Florida club scene, Bo’s travels have seen him sitting in with legendary drummers Buddy Miles (Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies, Delfonics, Bootsy Collins) and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Artimus Pyle, before moving from Florida to L.A. fourteen years ago. A world-class guitarist, you can hear his affinity for a variety of genres - from jazz, funk and soul to rock & roll, coming through loud and clear on such originals as “Out In The Streets”; audience favorite “Walkin’ In The Park”; and tasty instrumentals like “Sea Song” (and) “Chillin’”, along with well-chosen covers of classics by Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pink Floyd and ZZ Top, among others.
Bo’s Bluesdrivers backbeat is provided by the stalwart team of J.J. and Chewy, who have worked together for close to two decades - previously performing in renowned SoCal-based band Stone as well as also currently with the steadily-growing rock group, Judge Jackson. The longtime rhythm section have several national tours under their belts and a resume that includes collaborations with famed horror director John Carpenter, both on-screen and as part of the soundtracks for his films, including Vampires and Ghost of Mars. Judge Jackson has performed and recorded music that has appeared on a variety of TV, movies and sporting events, including Fox Sports and Super Bowl XLV.
Bo & the Bluesdrivers have just finished recording a new album at Pawnshop Studios, which is slated for release later this year.
A veteran of the Florida club scene, Bo’s travels have seen him sitting in with legendary drummers Buddy Miles (Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies, Delfonics, Bootsy Collins) and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Artimus Pyle, before moving from Florida to L.A. fourteen years ago. A world-class guitarist, you can hear his affinity for a variety of genres - from jazz, funk and soul to rock & roll, coming through loud and clear on such originals as “Out In The Streets”; audience favorite “Walkin’ In The Park”; and tasty instrumentals like “Sea Song” (and) “Chillin’”, along with well-chosen covers of classics by Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pink Floyd and ZZ Top, among others.
Bo’s Bluesdrivers backbeat is provided by the stalwart team of J.J. and Chewy, who have worked together for close to two decades - previously performing in renowned SoCal-based band Stone as well as also currently with the steadily-growing rock group, Judge Jackson. The longtime rhythm section have several national tours under their belts and a resume that includes collaborations with famed horror director John Carpenter, both on-screen and as part of the soundtracks for his films, including Vampires and Ghost of Mars. Judge Jackson has performed and recorded music that has appeared on a variety of TV, movies and sporting events, including Fox Sports and Super Bowl XLV.
Bo & the Bluesdrivers have just finished recording a new album at Pawnshop Studios, which is slated for release later this year.
"Out On The Streets" - Bo and the Bluesdrivers
BO AND THE BLUESDRIVERS - UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS/SPECIAL
EVENTS
Feb. 5
(Thur.) BERGIES Santa Clarita,
CA
Feb. 7 (Sat.)
SUE'S TAVERN Frazier Park,
CA
Feb. 13
(Fri.) KX93.5 FM LAGUNA BLUES* Laguna Beach,
CA
Feb. 17
(Tues.) HOUSE OF
BLUES West Hollywood, CA
Feb. 20
(Fri.) ARCADIA BLUES CLUB Arcadia, CA
Feb. 21
(Sat.) LAKESIDE SPORTS BAR Helendale,
CA
Feb. 28
(Sat.) MADD BAILEY'S PUB Pine Mtn. Club,
CA
March 1
(Sun.) MADD BAILEY'S PUB Pine Mtn. Club,
CA
March 5
(Thur.) BERGIES Santa Clarita,
CA
March 7
(Sat.) HARRY'S NIGHT CLUB Pismo Beach,
CA
April 2
(Thur.) BERGIES Santa Clarita,
CA
May 22
(Fri.) RUN-A-MUCCA RALLY Winnemucca, NV
May 23
(Sat.) RUN-A-MUCCA RALLY Winnemucca, NV
May 24
(Sun.) RUN-A-MUCCA RALLY Winnemucca, NV
May 30
(Sat.) INDIAN HILL MUSIC FEST Tehachapi, CA
May 30
(Sat.) DOGHOUSE SALOON Tehachapi, CA
July 3
(Fri.) WINDY MESA Page,
AZ
July 4
(Sat.) WINDY MESA Page,
AZ
Aug. 8
(Sat.) FIESTA DAYS FESTIVAL Frazier Park,
CA
Labels:
Bo & The Bluesdrivers,
On Tour
VizzTone Label Group artist: Robin McKelle & The Flytones - Heart Of Memphis - New Release Review
I just received the newest release (2/10/15), Heart Of Memphis, from Robin McKelle & The Flytones and it's got a cool vibe. Opening with About To Be Your Baby, a funky, high stepping, horn infused soul track. If you grew up in the 60's and 70's listening to Al Green and the like, you'll certainly find this groove! Up next is Good Time, a faster, Ike Turner like track again in the soul vein. Thick with horn and including a tambourine, this track is jumping. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, made popular by The Animals, gets a bit of a kick in the pants with a faster pace, unusual key work and brighter vocals. Control Yourself is an easy paced ballad with pop jazz overtones. It really has a nice bop making me think a bit of Badu. Very cool! Delbert McClinton's Forgetting You is a soulful ballad with simple horn backing and a country twist ... almost like a Muscle Shoals recording. Title track, Heart Of Memphis is an easy soul ballad with a simple back beat. Like A River is back in the Al Green arena with a nice slap and solid horns. Easier That Way opens with a nice guitar riff settling into a soul ballad. Warm B3 and organ work blended nicely with horns makes this a solid radio track. What You Want has a real nice bottom and McKelle shows over and again that she really has the voice to carry off soul like it was invented. I real nice groove with a bit of Gladys Knight feel makes this a memorable track. Good & Plenty is a soul rocker with a solid straight up beat and tight horn backing. Baby You're The Best has a real smooth soul sound with a lot more contemporary feel. Down With The Ship is more of a pop track with a soul twist. Light guitar backing, with keys and horns deliver the vocals on top. Wrapping the release is a tight soul ballad, It's Over This Time. Exhibiting strong emotion and nice vocal backing, this is a great track to wrap a fairly cohesive of contemporary soul tracks.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
D.A. Foster's "The Real Thing" Releases Today
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Labels:
Blind Raccoon,
D.A. Foster,
the real thing
Delta Groove Music artist: Igor Prado Band - Way Down South - New Release Review
I just received the newest release (February 17, 2015), Way Down South, from Igor Prado Band and Delta Groove All Stars and it's smokin! Opening with Ike Turner's, Matchbox, Sugaray Rayford leads the way on vocal and Prado really romps the guitar. A heavy slung blues, Prado throws stiff riffs and wild trem work making this a terrific opener! John Hunter's, Ride With Me Baby has an easy rock beat with deep blues roots. Kim Wilson has the lead on vocal and Prado shows his fleet fingered guitar work. Yuri Prado on drums and Rodrigo Mantovani on bass keep it tight. Muddy Water's She's Got It, featuring Mud Morganfield on lead vocal sounds like it's right out of 60's Chicago with Ivan Marcio on harp and Donny Nichilo doing a great Otis Spann. Morganfield, Marcio, Nichilo and Prado really do capture Muddy's band sound with a lot of authenticity. Very cool! Lowell Fulsom's Baby Won't You Jump With Me features Ari Borger on piano and Lynwood Slim on vocal with cool jazzy guitar work from Prado and Junior Watson and tight sax work from Denilson Martins. James Lane's, What Have I Done, has a smooth groove led by Mitch Kashmar on vocal and harp. Kashmar really takes a nice romp on his solo as does Ari Borger on piano and Prado shows again that he's got great guitar chops. Jr. Walker and the Allstars' Shake & Fingerpop keep all of the R&B groove of the original with super stinging guitar riffs and lead vocals from Prado, a super bass run by Mantovani. Raphael Wressnig does a super job on B3. On Elmore James' Talk To Me Baby, Rod Piazza takes the mic for lead vocal and harp. Honey Piazza joins in on piano with Prado on lead guitar super charging this track. Excellent! Jerry West's If You Ever Need Me, keeps the original feel of the 60's R&B lead by Kim Wilson on vocal and harp. Very Nice! Joe Tex's You Got What It Takes has a nice twist on the original with Prado and JJ Jackson sharing the vocal lead. Keeping the guitar work tame on this number, Prado's finesse on the fretboard isn't hindered with quiet but cool riffs. Sugaray Rayford's Big Mama Blues has the girth of a Muddy Waters track with Prado and Monster Mike Welch doing the guitar Muddy style. Rayford leading the vocal charge and Borger tickling the keys, this track is right off the Chicago stage. Sweet! Paul Gayten's R&B swing tune You Better Believe It, led by Lynwood Slim on vocal and chased by Borger on piano and Martins on sax make this one really hot number. Prado jumps up and stiff arms the crowd with a flaming guitar solo keeping with the pace of the release. On Jerry West's, Rooster Blues, Wallace Coleman takes the vocal and harp lead and gets right into the Chicago groove. Yuri Prado (drums) keeps this track on a tight leash and Borger lays down a great piano solo. Prado really lets it out on this track proving once again that he can hold his own with just about anyone on the blues circuit. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Omar Coleman's Trying To Do Right with Coleman on vocal and harp. Prado takes the acoustic guitar and shows how powerful the simple instrument can be in the right hands. This is a powerful acoustic track and a great conclusion to a terrific release!
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Monday, January 26, 2015
Celebrating The Blues With Heartfelt Gospel Feeling
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